Sandglass

ABSTRACT

A sandglass is combined with an electrical signal actuator to give a signal when the sand has passed through the appropriate chamber.

United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,707,842

Spivak [4 1 Jan. 2 1973 [541 SANDGLASS [56] References Cited [76] Inventor: David Spivak, One Washington UNITED STATES PATENTS Square Village, New York, 682,108 9/1901 Morshovitch ..ss/144 10012 2,326,957 8/1943 Maguire ..58/144 [22] Film Sept 30 1971 2,417,641 3/1947 Fischer ..ss/144 3,505,873 4/1970 Comelison ..58/l44 [2]] App]. No.: 185,315

Primary Examiner-Thomas B. Habecker Attorney-M. Arthur Auslander et a1.

[52] US. Cl. ..58/144, 340/246, IMO/309.1

511 1111.01 ..G04f 1/06, G04f 1/08 [571 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search ..340/246; 58/144 A sandglass is combined with an electrical signal actuator to give a signal when the sand has passed through the appropriate chamber.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures i 4 11 1'1 I7 I f 22 SANDGLASS The present invention relates to a new and improved sandglass.

While the hourglass is substantially outmoded except as a novelty sandglass or granular timely flow, it is still popular for uses such as simple timers for kitchen use.

An oftentimes used sandglass is a small glass used to time eggs for the correct degree of cooking. Sandglasses such as these are popular because of their accurate timing and economy of space and money.

One difficulty with sandglasses of the past is that they often frustrate their purpose of accurate timing over a short period of time. For certainty in use, it is really necessary to watch the sandglass to see when it runs out. If the sandglass runs out, the purpose for the timing may be frustrated.

The paradox of a need to watch almost negates the value of the timer sandglass.

According to the present invention, a simple sandglass is provided with a simple electrical system which combines an audible signal with a sandglass or granule flow timer without any great increase in size in the sandglass. A visible signal might also be achieved, but it is not deemed preferable.

Although such novel feature or features believed to be characteristics of the invention are pointed out in the claims, the invention and the manner in which it may be carried out may be further understood by reference to the description following and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an electric signal sandglass of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another electric signal sandglass of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a detail of an electric circuit for the electric signal sandglass of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a detail of an alternate circuit for the electric signal sandglass of FIG. 2.

Referring now to the figures in greater detail, where like reference numbers denote like parts in the various figures.

The electric signal sandglass comprises a first glass portion 12 and a second glass portion 13. The two glass portions l2, 13 are joined by a neck 14 with an opening 15 through which the sand 16 or other granules may pass. A guide 17 passes from the top of the first transparent glass portion 12, often of transparent plastic, to the. equivalent point of the second glass portion 13, generally passing through the neck 14, opening 15.

As a preferred embodiment the electric signal sandglass 10 is provided with slideable caps 18, 19 which are electrically conductive. The slideable caps 18, 19 cover substantially the inner circumference of the glass portions 12, 13 although the portions 12, 13 might be of some other appropriate substance. The size of the caps 18, 19 is to inhibit sand or granule flow beyond the caps 18, 19. The slideable caps l8, 19 are provided with openings 20, 21 through which the guide 17 may pass. The guide 17 and the slightly longitudinal necks 22, 23 guide the slideable caps 18, 19 for smooth movement when the electric signal sandglass 10 is pouring sand 16.

In operation the electric signal sandglass 10 is turned to start sand 16 flow. The cap 18, as shown in FIG. 1

fll th dlfl d' 'd bth 'd 17 a iid lli e a l of t e gl as s pdr ti o ri Xfte? fll' s and l6s descent, the cap 18 comes to rest on the electrodes 24, 25. The conductivity of the cap 18 sets up a circuit when the switch 26 actuates the buzzer 27, in this instance, indicating that the electric signal sandglass 10 has ended its period. A small battery 28 supplies the necessary power.

The cap 19 when in the upright position, descends to the electrodes 29, 30 which are wired in parallel to the circuit to repeat the actuation cycle.

The circuit 11 and battery 28 may be arranged to take little space so as to keep the electric signal sandglass l0 compact and also inexpensive.

The electric signal sandglass 40, is provided with top and bottom 41, 42, base portion to support the electric signal sandglass 40 and also to hold the battery 28 and circuitry. The first glass portion 43 and second glass portion 44 are joined by a neck 45 through which the sand 16 may flow.

A guide 17 traverses the length of the electric signal sandglass 40. Two electrically conductive balls 46, 47 are slideably engaged with the guide 17. Each glass portion 43, 44 has a pair of electrodes 48, 49 which straddle the guide 17. As the sand 16 descends, one of the balls 46, 47 reaches an electrode pair 48, 49, setting up a circuit when the switch 50 is closed. The switch 50 can be seen in the bottom portion 42.

In FIG. 3, a typical circuit for the electric signal sandglass 40 is shown with a buzzer 27. In FIG. 4 the same circuit is shown using an optional light.

The terms and expressions which are employed are used as terms of description; it is recognized, though, that various modifications are possible.

Having thus described certain forms of the invention in some detail, what is claimed is:

1. A circuit closing electric signalling granule flow timer comprising a first granule portion, a second granule portion, said granule portions joined by a neck with an opening therethrough, a selected amount of flowable granules, electric circuit means, said circuit means having spaced apart electrodes in each granule portion, a guide in each said granule portion extending at least to said electrodes, and an electrode on each said guide engageable with said electrodes upon the descent of said granules.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said granule portions are transparent.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said guide extends through both said granule portions and said neck.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said descending circuit closing electrode actuates a sounding device.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said descending circuit closing electrode actuates a light.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said circuit includes a switch.

7. The invention of claim lwherein said circuit closing electrode on said guide is of a small diameter.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said electrode is a ball.

9. The invention of claim 1 wherein said circuit closing electrode is substantially the shape of said granule portion and is adapted to inhibit the flow of granules beyond it. 

1. A circuit closing electric signalling granule flow timer comprising a first granule portion, a second granule portion, said granule portions joined by a neck with an opening therethrough, a selected amount of flowable granules, electric circuit means, said circuit means having spaced apart electrodes in each granule portion, a guide in each said granule portion extending at least to said electrodes, and an electrode on each said guide engageable with said electrodes upon the descent of said granules.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said granule portions are transparent.
 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said guide extends through both said granule portions and said neck.
 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said descending circuit closing electrode actuates a sounding device.
 5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said descending circuit closing electrode actuates a light.
 6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said circuit includes a switch.
 7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said circuit closing electrode on said guide is of a small diameter.
 8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said electrode is a ball.
 9. The invention of claim 1 wherein said circuit closing electrode is substantially the shape of said granule portion and is adapted to inhibit the flow of granules beyond it. 